Area 9,573,000 sq.km. The third largest state in the world, also containing the highest mountains and plateaus in the world. The climate varies from tropical in Hainan in the south to sub-arctic in Heilongjiang in the north. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are all integral parts of China, though their statistics are not included here.

The Cultural Revolution with its application
of an extreme Marxist economic system was a fiasco. Since 1978, the
see-saw conflict between the hardliners and pragmatists within the Communist
government has been reflected in the degree of economic liberalization pursued.
First agriculture and then much industry was privatized with dramatic improvements
in food production, consumer goods and living standards. Massive growth in the
1980s and somewhat slower growth in the '90s have partially restored China's
industrial might after two centuries of eclipse to become the 8th largest economy
in the world. The greatest growth has been in Hong Kong's hinterland and more
recently in most coastal cities. Fear of political liberalization, widespread
corruption and unwillingness to deal with large state- and army-run industries
is holding back growth. The massive increase in unemployment and widespread
poverty could create serious social unrest. Unemployment is officially 4.8%,
but it is estimated that the urban labour surplus is 18% and rural 30%. This
means about 200 million without a meaningful income.
HDI 0.701; 98th/174. Public
debt 11% of GNP. Income/person
$860 (2.7% of USA).

This great and ancient nation has regained its place of importance in the world after nearly two centuries of decline and humiliation at the hands of the Western powers and Japan. After the final conquest of mainland China in 1949, the Communist Party remoulded the nation along Marxist lines. The Cultural Revolution (1966-76) was the culmination of Mao's policy. It caused immeasurable suffering and economic chaos. Intellectuals and religious believers were cruelly persecuted. It is estimated that 20 million Chinese lost their lives during that time. The death of Mao Zedong in 1976 and discrediting of radical leftists in 1978 was followed by a more pragmatic leadership under Deng. He initiated a series of economic, political and cultural reforms and developed links with other nations, but all within the limits set by Deng. The crushing of the 1989 student protest in Tienanmen Square in Beijing and also the collapse of Communism in Europe and the USSR left China diplomatically isolated as the oldest surviving Communist regime. The threatened government responded with a reversion to ideological rigidity and repression of all political, ethnic and religious dissent. Economic reform with tight political control has been government policy during the 1990s. In 1997 and 1999 Hong Kong and Macau reverted to Chinese rule. China's growing economic strength could be directed at the absorption of Taiwan, seizure of island archipelagos in the South China Sea and possibly other surrounding countries. Russia's under-populated Siberia could also come under pressure from over-populated China.

Elimination of all religious groups has always been the ultimate aim of the Marxist government. In the 1950s the government engineered the infiltration, subversion and control of all organized Christianity. By 1958 this had been achieved through the Three Self Patriotic Movement among Protestants, and the Catholic Patriotic Association among Catholics. During the Cultural Revolution even these puppet structures were banned, and all religious activity forced underground, giving birth to the house church movement. In 1978 restrictions were eased and the TSPM and CPA resurrected as a means of regaining governmental control of the thousands of house churches. This has been only partially successful. The collapse of Communism in Europe is perceived as due to 'religion', so strict controls are maintained over Christian and Muslim organizations and all unregistered activity repressed wherever possible. All figures are estimates.

The Communist Party claims that there are 100 million 'believers' in the five recognized religions (Buddhism, Daoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism) with 85,000 registered meeting places and 300,000 religious personnel. The actual figures are probably double this.

The beliefs of the Chinese and many minorities are a blend of folk religions, Daoism and Buddhism. The Buddhists are of three major strands: Mahayana and Theravada among the Chinese and southern peoples such as the Dai, Zhuang, Manchu, etc., and Lama Buddhism among the Tibetan and Mongolian peoples of the west and north.

Islam is dominant in Xinjiang and Ningxia, and is the major religion of the Hui, Uygur, Kyrgyz, Kazak, Dongxiang, etc.

The severe suppression of the Falun Gong sect in 1999 and onwards has also greatly intensified persecution of the Christian networks outside the TSPM. Persecution Index 3rd in the world.

Religions

Population %

Adherents

Ann.Gr.

non-Religious/other

49.58

625,975,655

+1.0%

Chinese

28.50

359,828,684

-1.4%

Buddhist

8.38

105,802,259

+1.9%

Christian

7.25

91,535,367

+7.7%

Ethnic religions

4.29

54,163,686

+6.4%

Muslim

2.00

25,251,136

+0.9%

Christians

Denom.

Affil.%

,000

Ann.Gr.

Protestant

5

0.05

645

+6.2%

Independent

23

7.26

91,700

+9.3%

Catholic

1

0.57

7,200

+3.7%

Marginal

21

0.16

2,000

+3.3%

Doubly affiliated

-0.79

-10,000

n.a.

Churches

MegaBloc

Cong.

Members

Affiliates

Three-Self Patriotic Movt

I

9,000

17,000,000

23,000,000

Born Again Movement

I

50,000

16,000,000

23,000,000

House Ch Networks [18]

I

150,000

18,000,000

20,000,000

Assembly Hall-Little Flock

I

47,619

14,286,000

20,000,000

Catholic

C

20,000

5,000,000

7,200,000

Catholic Patriotic Assoc

I

4,100

3,100,000

4,500,000

True Jesus

I

4,000

800,000

1,200,000

Seventh-day Adventist

P

650

250,000

350,000

Other Protestant [4]

P

700

200,000

295,000

Other denominations [22]

4,122

1,272,000

2,030,000

Doubly affiliated

-6,666,667

-10,000,000

Total Christians [51]

290,000

69,241,000

91,575,000

Accurate Christian statistics are not available. Those listed here are only indicative of a remarkable work of the Holy Spirit. Various official and house church network leaders have given estimates which are used here. A number of China-watchers have sought to painstakingly piece together the bigger picture from every scrap of evidence available. Estimates of all Christians vary from 30 million to 150 million. Note that some TSPM figures are inclusive of non-TSPM Christians in their areas  hence the doubly affiliated estimate.

1 The survival and reviving of the Church in China was one of the decisive events of the 20th Century.

2 The growth of the Church in China since 1977 has no parallels in history. The 1,266,000 Protestant members and 1.8 mill. affiliates in 1949 had become 17m members and maybe 26m affiliates in 2000 as well as a much larger uncounted, but estimated, 45m house church Christians. The Catholics grew from 3m to 12m over the same period.

3 The millions of intercessors who travailed in prayer for the long-delayed breakthrough. The cumulative impact of 150 years of global prayer for China has been enormous. Prayer is changing China.

4 The atheist rulers of China became unwitting instruments in the hand of our Sovereign God to prepare the way for this growth. Mao Zedong sought to destroy all religious 'superstition' but in the process cleared spiritual roadblocks for the advancement of Christianity. Deng reversed the horrors inflicted by Mao and in freeing up the economy, gave more freedom to the Christians, who made use of the opportunity.

5 The manifest failure of Communism. Colossal blunders and changes in Party policy over 45 years have disillusioned the people. The fall of personality-cult leaders and the failure of promises for a better future have created a vacuum which only the gospel can fill. The nepotism, corruption and factionalism of the present Communist Party are repugnant to the majority. The Church of the Lord Jesus is larger than the Communist Party of China.

6 The faith and commitment of Christians under what may prove to be the most harsh and widespread persecution of the Church in all history. The persecution purified and indigenized the Church and has inured it to successive waves of further repression and government efforts to weaken or destroy it.

7 The aftermath of the Beijing massacre in Tiananmen Square in 1989. This was a defining moment in Chinese history. The discredited leadership is still haunted by the debacle, and the result was a significant turning to God for the first time among urban intellectuals. Christians are now found in every stratum of Chinese society.

8 The loving witness of ordinary Christians ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit. His power has often been manifested in miracles, healings and exorcisms. The majority of these evangelists and church planters have been women  many still in their teens. In many areas 70  80% of the Christians are women.

9 The fruitfulness of Christian radio and the remarkable faith of those who broadcast into China for years with little visible evidence of a response  that evidence is now plain to see.

10 The Internet is creating extraordinary
new openings for evil and for good  the latter
in providing discipleship and leadership development materials.

1 There may only be a ten-year window
of opportunity for receptivity. Materialism
with increasing wealth, the debilitating effects of spreading corruption, the
moral decline and the social impact of the one-child policy all are conspiring
to blunt the cutting edge of the Church. Pray that present openness in the midst
of opposition may be used to the full.

2 Communist Party members are the elite and number some 60m. All are officially atheist, but among them are many who are secretly religious and even Christian. Pray for the collapse of the whole atheistic system and its lies so assiduously propagated in the education system, and pray for the conversion of those within the Party.

3 Market socialism is a convenient term to gloss over the ideological bankruptcy of the Marxism still espoused by the ruling elite. The government vainly tries to control information while promoting the Internet, and to indoctrinate a bored and disillusioned new generation that hankers after freedom. The irreconcilable conflict between crass capitalism and personal greed and the refusal to allow any political reform will lead to change. Pray that this change might be both peaceful and spiritually beneficial to the Chinese.

4 The 'One Child' policy
is a draconian means of taming the growth of the population. Family life has
been deeply impacted, shown in: a higher divorce rate, 10m abortions a year
(nearly all girls), suicide (40% of the world's suicides are in China), pampered
children with poor interpersonal skills and the abandonment of baby girls and
older people. The rising generation will pay a heavy cost  in 2000 there were
90m marriageable unmarried men; in some areas young men outnumber young women
by 30-40%  rape, abductions, female slavery, incest, prostitution and the rapid
spread of AIDS could all be the result. Pray for family stability and health.
Pray also for wise policies to be implemented that will stabilize the population.

5 Economic liberalization has made a few very wealthy and improved living standards for many, but made others worse off:

a) The millions of unemployed have become an impoverished under-class. Multitudes flock to cities seeking employment.

b) The poorer inland provinces far from the sea where there has been less development; housing, education, health etc., are at a much lower standard.

c) The elderly  with the one-child policy limiting family care for them.

d) Those in the penal system with 15  20 million incarcerated.

e) Those with disabilities.

Pray for a fairer and more free society to emerge.

6 The social and health needs in China overwhelm the available resources. Diseases are a challenge  1.9m with tuberculosis, over 300,000 with HIV/AIDS, 10m mentally retarded through iodine-deficiency, 60m disabled, 13m blind and 520,000 registered drug addicts. Then there are the unemployed and the numerous victims of famines, floods and earthquakes due to the density of the population. Pray that Christians may find many openings to serve such in the social and caring professions and opportunities to show and speak about the love of Jesus for them.

7 China faces environmental disasters on many fronts  deforestation causing massive flooding, the unknown impact of the massive Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River, polluted rivers filled with industrial and human waste, nine of the ten most polluted cities in the world, desertification in the north and east, and the continued increase of the population. Pray for a government courageous and trusted enough to take the difficult decisions required for the long-term well-being of the nation.

1 The Three Self Patriotic Movement
(TSPM) was instituted by 'patriotic' and often theologically
liberal Christians with the strong encouragement of the Communist Party as the
interface between the government and Church. After 13 years of oblivion
it was reconstituted in 1979 to wrest the initiative from the burgeoning house
church movement, and enable the government to control and manipulate the Church.
The China Christian Council is the governing body for all official church-related
activities. Pray for:

a) The neutralization of all measures to impose unbiblical doctrines on the churches, limit evangelism, and force conformity to the dictates of the atheist government. Pray also for an end to the enforced compromises in the state-controlled TSPM-related churches.

b) Leaders who have compromised the faith and bowed to government pressure. The restrictions laid down are: no childrens' or youth work, avoid preaching on the Lord's return and on creation, a ban on healing or exorcism, and limited evangelism. Praise God for many who quietly ignore the rules of men.

c) The continued growth of the registered churches. Many godly leaders quietly continue to serve the Lord in TSPM churches. The growth in congregations and members is downplayed by the authorities but is dramatic. There were 1,000 open church buildings in 1983; 7,000 churches and 20,000 official meeting points in 1988, becoming 13,000 and 35,000, respectively, by 1997. Six churches a day are being registered. There are estimated to be 500,000 baptisms in the TSPM churches every year, and adult membership in 1997 was estimated at 17 million.

d) Relationships between the TSPM churches and house churches. Most house churches regard with distaste government manipulation and control and see separation as fundamental to the survival of a spiritual Church. Some house church leaders reject all contact, others have succumbed to the increased pressures and outright persecution since 1989 to register. In 1995, an estimated 30% of Protestant Christians were linked with TSPM churches. This has probably risen to 40% in 2000. Increasingly there is overlap with many attending and ministering in both. There is also a steady drift away to house churches by new converts disillusioned with the level of compromise.

e) The future of the TSPM. Growth, despite its major flaws and weaknesses, has been astonishing. This is likely to slow as the TSPM leadership becomes entrenched in bureaucratic, corrupt ways and fails to address either the spiritual needs of ordinary Christians or the serious social problems of China. The result is likely to be fragmentation, regionalization, renewed denominationalism and massive defections to house church networks. Pray for revival and renewal to purify the TSPM and its associated churches.

2 Leadership training is woefully deficient, and a crisis need. It is reckoned that there is but one ordained pastor for every 7,000 TSPM members. By 1999 there were 18 official seminaries with 1,200 residential and 3,000 distance-learning students. Pray for:

a) Faculty  often selected for their political correctness rather than for their walk with God. Pray for those teaching who are Evangelical despite the prevailing liberal theology and textbooks. Pray that biblical teaching and holiness of life might be central in their lives. In 2000 the anti-Evangelical stance was strengthened.

b) Students. Many apply, but few are selected; nevertheless most are Evangelical but face a constant battle against the erosion of their faith. The number of students and ordinations has been deliberately restricted, but during 1999 a considerable expansion in facilities and enrolment was reported. Only 800 pastors were ordained 1992-95, and most of these were over 45 years of age.

c) Protection from interference. During 1999 a severe purge of evangelical faculty, textbooks and students was carried out at the national seminary in Nanjing. Support from congregations for Nanjing, the five regional and 12 provincial seminaries is very low because of the political manipulation. Libraries are usually poorly stocked.

3 The Catholics were divided when the Marxists set up the Catholic Patriotic Association in 1957 with its own structure and hierarchy independent of the Vatican. The majority of Catholics demurred and went 'underground', with their own bishops and illegal seminaries. The loyalist Catholics have suffered severe persecution because of their commitment to a foreign leader. More recently there has been a growing rapprochement between the two. There are over 12m Catholics in the two bodies, and over 60,000 are converted annually. Many Catholics are charismatic and ardent in their faith.

4 The unregistered or house church networks are
the heart of the true Church in China. Intense persecution has indigenized
and purified it. Prayer, revival, simple living and a christocentric theology
characterize it. Twenty or more larger networks are known to exist, but their
numbers are a matter of conjecture. Reasonable estimates range between 30 and
80 million, or 50% to 80% of the total Christian population. There are many
challenges to pray over:

a) Persecution is a present reality. Increasing pressure since 1989 is a measure of the fear of the Communists of such a large movement they do not control. Their aim is subjugation or elimination of this threat. Since 1996 the level of persecution has increased on house churches not willing to register with the TSPM. Arrests (hundreds in 1999), heavy fines, forcible closures and destruction of church buildings (200 in 1997) have increased in some key areas. Pray for the continued commitment of believers to preach Christ and Him crucified whatever the cost and without compromise.

b) Ongoing evangelistic outreach. Witnessing Christians and itinerant preachers, though violently opposed by the authorities, have spread far and wide, but many provinces, districts and towns are still unreached. Pray that Christians may continue to be bold for Jesus and implement their missionary strategy for reaching China.

c) Challenges to face:

i) Isolation and lack of teaching can lead to extremes in legalism, theological emphases and use of spiritual gifts.

ii) How to handle increased contacts and communications with evangelical Christians around the world  finance is a major component for good and bad. The new quarterly magazine Voice of China is compiled by leaders of house church networks for distribution worldwide.

iii) How to make what has long been a strong rural movement impact those who are urban and intellectuals. The lack of formal education of many leaders, many of which are women, hampers this. Pray that more men may be converted and that an impact for God might be made on the cities. The authorities are better able to control and restrict any Christian activity in cities, so house churches tend to be smaller and more secretive.

d) The intellectual elite is largely urban. Only since 1989 have large numbers of students and professionals come to Christ, yet the proportion that believe is far lower than in the rural areas. Networks of small, often secret, groups have emerged. Pray for the multiplication of such, for this is of inestimable importance for the future of the gospel in China.

e) Leadership for the churches. The widespread lack of Bibles, teaching materials and Bible-literate leaders has stimulated many innovative discipleship ministries in different house church networks during the 1990s. Pray for many godly men and women to be raised up.

f) The multiplication of heretical sects and doctrinal extremist groups. The lack of Bible knowledge and of mature leadership has opened the way for many exotic messianic, syncretistic and divisive groups, some of which have spread over much of China. In some areas they now constitute 5% or more of the unregistered church population. Many have exotic names such as Lightning in the East, Lingling, Shouters, Established King, Cold Water, etc. Pray that this growth might be slowed by the loving proclamation of the truth of God's Word through radio, literature and preaching.

g) Spiritual unity has been furthered by recent persecution. Leaders of various house church networks are increasingly standing together in both affirming their common biblical faith and making public statements to the authorities. Pray for continued development of trust and fellowship between different house church networks and between Bible-believing leaders of the house churches and the TSPM.

h) Missions vision. Some house church networks have long cherished and supported missions outreach to other provinces and to ethnic minorities. There is growing vision for foreign missions and some Mainland Chinese have become missionaries in other lands. Some predict China could become the greatest sending nation in the 21st Century!

About 7% of China's population is Christian today, but their distribution is not even. In this section are given some of the nationally significant but less evangelized
sections of the population.

1 The nearly 60 million Communist Party members are, by definition, atheists, but ideology is a facade to cover self-seeking opportunism. Disillusionment and defection to Christianity has led to many resignations. Pray that the Holy Spirit
may convict many more of their sin and need. Among them are also many secret believers.

2 The armed forces, who are the protectors of the Marxist state, and who jealously guard their privileged position and network of industries. There are 2.8m in uniform, but very few Christians among them.

3 The 'lost generation', the young people mobilized as the Cultural Revolution Red Guards. The millions involved were morally warped and exploited, losing their youth, education prospects and hopes of betterment in the madness of those years. Pray that they may find hope in Christ.

4 Those still bound by the idolatrous superstitions
of Daoism, Buddhism and the legalism of Confucianism. These customs and
philosophies are being revived, but young people are not so attracted to them.
A new religion, Falun Gong, gained world publicity and shocked the authorities
in 1999 with a quiet protest in Beijing  they claim 70m followers in China.
Pray for the millions still bound and needing the freedom only the gospel can
give.

5 Children and young people under 18 number over 500m. It is illegal to teach them religious 'superstitions'. The TSPM churches are not allowed to run Sunday Schools or youth groups  most have forgotten how or are afraid to minister to children and young people, but some are quietly doing more to disciple them. One of the great needs of China today is for teaching materials and the know-how of Christian ministry to this group.

6 University students
(3m) are the key for the future. The shock of the events of 1989 have brought
many to Christ, but most students are still unreached. Pray for:

a) Christians among them to be built up in their faith and to be fervent witnesses.

b) The establishment of Bible study groups on every one of the 1,054 campuses.

c) Those who study abroad. About 100,000 go overseas annually for study, but only about 25% return. Most go to Japan, USA, Europe and Australia. Their numbers in 1996 globally were 600,000. Among them is an unprecedented openness and a good proportion have come to the Lord.

7 Muslims number 25m, and are almost entirely linked to specific ethnic groups  the indigenous Uygur, Kazak, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Tatar of Xinjiang, the Salar of Qinghai, Dongxiang of Gansu and the Chinese Hui of Ningxia and scattered all over China. (See under the provinces below.) Islam is a sensitive issue in China because of a past history of Hui revolts and unrest in Xinjiang. Few ministries are targeting the Muslim peoples, and few Chinese believers feel adequately prepared for such outreach. Pray for the evangelization of these peoples and for the calling of committed workers to them.

8 Ethnic Minorities
comprise 8.7% of the population, 100m people in 464 distinct non-Han ethno-linguistic
groups. This chart gives an indication of the spread of the gospel among 450
of them:

Christian Percentage

No. of Peoples

Population

Over 50%

8

596,079

20  50%

15

4,064,510

5  20%

18

1,269,260

1  5%

41

5,341,140

0.1  1%

69

43,874,550

0.01  0.1%

40

39,602,380

0.00%

259

5,752,507

Total

450

100,500,426

Note:

· Only 8 peoples are majority Christian. This includes the A-Hmao and the Gha-Mu (Miao peoples),
Eastern Lipo and the Ayi.

· A further 15 peoples have large Christian populations including the Korean, Lisu, Wa, Nasu, Kado and Jingpo.

· Over 368 peoples have less than 1% Christian.

· Nearly 260 peoples have no known Christians at all.

Pray for:

a) A global concern for the evangelization of these numerous unreached peoples, and that many peoples still inaccessible to foreigners might be opened up.

b) Greater involvement of Christian tribals and Chinese Han Christians in reaching them. Over one hundred cross-cultural house church missionaries are known to be active among unreached minorities.

The rapid growth of the Church and its influence on the democracy movement has
heightened the ideological clash since 1989. The Communist Party and the old men
that run it feel threatened by the powerful attraction of Christianity. The influence
of foreign visitors, students and experts, and the pervasive impact of Christian
radio programmes, videos, literature and Bibles and the explosive growth in the
use of the Internet have been perceived as decisive in this. Opposition to and
vigilance against all activities conducted by foreigners has increased since 1989.
Pray that economic desire may overcome ideological fears and keep the door open
for needed Christian input. Pray also that all who go may humbly listen, learn
and adapt to the language and culture so as to maximize their long-term spiritual
impact.

1 Missionaries, as such, are not welcome in China. Yet China's desire to improve trading relations with the world makes it possible for many Chinese and foreign Christians to enter as:

a) Tourists  over 30m visited China in 1995 and spent $US9 billion. Many Christians were among them. Pray for their ministry of bringing literature, aid, comfort and, in some cases, teaching. Pray also for safety for them and their baggage, tact and wisdom in their contacts, and guidance for travel.

b) Students  usually for language or cultural studies in various universities. In 2000 there were over 10,000 from 120 countries. Living conditions are often spartan and uncensored friendships with Chinese hard to maintain. Pray for Christians among them to be used of God to share Christ with those who are genuinely seeking the Lord.

c) Foreign experts and businessmen. China aims to recruit about 30,000 experts annually to teach English, Japanese and German as well as other subjects, and also to build up China's technology and industry. Pray that many may be radiant Christians able to impart their faith while on the job.

d) Chinese family members who visit their ancestral homes. These have flocked to China in their millions. Christians among them have sometimes seen astonishing results when staying with relatives.

2 Provision of Bibles is still inadequate, despite the large increase in the number of copies available. By 1999 it was reckoned that there were 36m Bibles in China. The famine of the Scriptures is most acute in provinces far from the 60 legal distribution points and for the house churches. Amity Foundation, founded in 1986 and sponsored by the TSPM and the UBS, set up a large printing operation in China, and over 22m Bibles and New Testaments had been printed by 1999  nearly all going to TSPM congregations. House churches have now commenced their own Bible printing presses. A further 12m Bibles and NTs are estimated to have been brought in by visitors. Pray that this flow might increase and that Christians might have access to a copy of God's Word. There is a great need for study and children's Bibles. Importation of Bibles is not illegal but prevented for ideological reasons. The Bible League and OD are two of the largest suppliers of Bibles to the house churches.

3 Video and audio tapes. The increasing availability of play-back machines is making foreign-produced Scripture, song, evangelism and teaching tapes a useful means for disseminating the Truth. Pray for all involved in preparing and distributing these tapes.

a) The JESUS film is being widely seen on home video in 20 completed language versions (including eight Chinese dialects, Mongolian, Uygur and Zhuang). Many other language editions are in production or planned. Pray that the film may receive official recognition for public showing.

b) Teaching tapes that deal with the moral and ethical devastation left by Marxist thought and provide solid biblical teaching are a great need to help the many intellectuals who are coming to faith. Pray for the production of reading materials and tapes to fill this need.

c) GRN has produced gospel messages or tapes in 160 languages and dialects; much being done during 1999, but recordings are needed in many more.

4 Christian literature. There is an insatiable demand for hymn books, Bible study and other teaching materials, biographies, tracts, and apologetic materials to explain the gospel to students and intellectuals. Pray for:

a) Literature production in Hong Kong from where a widening range of literature is being published. Millions of copies are sent to the Mainland. Many agencies are involved in this ministry including Christian Communications Ltd., Chinese Church Support Ministries, AO, OD as well as denominational bodies. Pray for all aspects of publication and distribution.

b) Suitable literatureand books for intellectuals are a great need. OMF have an extensive ministry to this group, having printed over 1.5m booklets.

c) The Amity Foundation Press in Nanjing has printed 10m copies of 130 book titles  many being commentaries and devotionals.

5 The Internet has become very popular and in 2000 there were an estimated 10m Internet users. Despite government efforts to control this medium, it is proving fertile soil for dissidents and many religious groups. Pray for its effective use for the gospel.

6 Christian radio has been and still is one of the most potent pre-evangelism and Christian teaching media for China today. Nearly every home now has a TV, and most a radio; less so in rural areas. Pray for:

a) The many hundreds of hours of broadcasting in Putonghua and other Han Chinese dialects which pour in from many Christian stations. Pray for lasting impact. TWR reckons their ministry has birthed 40,000 home groups, 50,000 leaders and 1m believers.

b) FEBC's use of four wave bands in Guam to minister simultaneously to young people, young Christians, church leaders and ethnic minorities. FEBC's DAWN China project encourages churches to adopt specific provinces and cities for intercession.

c) The protection of listeners. The authorities seek to obtain addresses of letter-writers to Hong Kong. Pray also for wisdom and tact for all links with listeners.

Nearly all of China's provinces are larger than most members of the United Nations.
They warrant specific prayer. Bear in mind the following:

1 Peoples are classified in two ways that are mutually incompatible.

a) The government census figures for the, then, 55 official 'nationalities' by province. These are usually represented as percentages of the present province population.

b) The 2001 publication, Operation China, a survey of nearly 500 ethno-linguistic groups of China. These are grouped by language family, and peoples are listed with their national population in the province where the highest proportion lives. So, each ethnic minority is listed with its population once, even if present in multiple provinces.

2 Religions. Only the missionary religions are enumerated, namely Christianity, Lama Buddhism and Islam. It is assumed that the rest of the provincial population will be either atheist, secular, or of the mix of religions and philosophies prevalent in China.

3 Christians. The counting of Christians in China is clouded by propagandists on both sides who either want to deflate numbers (TSPM/government) or inflate them (some Christian agencies). Here we have sought to be as objective as possible using many sources to apportion national figures to each province. There is still wide margin for error but, though somewhat speculative, we believe this reflects as true a picture as we can obtain at this time.

1 Utopian Maoism was a disaster for Anhui's people. Huge numbers died in famines and flood. In their disillusionment many turned to Christ. Praise God for widespread revival, especially in the north, and blessing from there which has flowed to many parts of China.

2 Christian growth has been remarkable. From 50,000 Protestants in 1949 to 3m adults claimed by the TSPM today. The house church movement is much larger and there may be over 12m Christians of all varieties today.

3 Lack of leadership
in the churches has resulted in the forming of a number of extreme or heretical
groups. Some call Anhui 'the cradle of heresies.' In 1994 there were 40 pastors
for 2,000 TSPM churches. Pray for the raising up of mature, godly leaders.

4 Persecution of unregistered churches became more severe in 1999 with a major drive against 'cults', harsh 're-education' programmes, closure of meetings, heavy fines and imprisonments. Pray for perseverance and purity of life and witness for believers.

1 China is ruled from Beijing. Pray for the leaders of
the nation  for wisdom, humanity, seeking of the good of the people rather
than self-interest, and courage to make the long-delayed economic and political
decisions essential for the future.

2 The Communist authorities keep tight control of
the Christians and Christian activity, being particularly severe on unofficial
ministry. Beijing is the only part of China where Protestants in registered
churches are fewer in number than in 1949. There are only 8 registered churches
but many small home meeting points of the TSPM. House churches were also few,
but a number of secret intellectual groups came into being after 1989. House
church believers numbered 150,000 in 1998, but grew rapidly to 500,000 by 2000.
Pray for a further opening of the capital to the gospel.

3 There are 3m migrants without legal residence papers. They form a vast under-class in poor ghettos. There are many street children. Pray for the evangelization of these marginalized peoples.

1 Chongqing is the industrial and trade hub for southwest China on the Yangtze River, and reputedly one of the ten most polluted cities in the world through heavy use of coal. Pray for the growth of Christian outreach in this strategic but spiritually needy city where there are only 56 approved TSPM meeting places.

2 Many of the 800,000 people being displaced by the nearby Three Gorges Dam will be resettled in Chongqing and Fuling.
Pray for hearts opened to the gospel as they go through traumatic change.

1 The first Protestant missionaries arrived in the early 19th Century. Since the Communist Revolution the Church has grown much  especially the house church networks. The Assembly Halls (Watchman Nee) and the True Jesus Church are strong. Pray for continued growth. There have been crack-downs and church closures by the authorities in recent years.

2 Buddhism and Daoism have revived
 over 20,000 temples have been illegally built or restored. Pray that the millions
seeking the help of religion may come to Jesus.

3 The unreached in two significant groups:

a) The 800,000 She are a Hmong people related to the Miao, but Christians are only around 1,000 (0.12%).

b) The 4,000 Ami, Bunun and Paiwan are related to the mountain peoples of Taiwan where most have become Christian. Their mainland relatives have no known witness among them.

1 The Christian population is relatively small. The area was pioneered by CIM(OMF), CMA and AoG. There were only 7,000 Protestants in 170 churches in 1949, so praise God for growth since then. Areas of weakness  too few leaders with training and the rise of a number of marginal sects. FEBC radio broadcasts have led many to Christ in Gansu villages.

2 The least evangelized:

a) The Dongxian, Bonan and Enger Yugur are of mixed Mongolian background and are strongly Muslim. No one has ever sought to evangelize these isolated peoples  probably China's least evangelized. There are no known believers.

b) The Muslim Hui are numerous in the cities; the city of Linxia has only a handful of believers. There is very little outreach and few Christians.

c) Tibetans are largely Buddhist and number 400,000. There is one Tibetan church. Four Tibetan peoples are indigenous to Gansu  the Jone and Saragh Yugur have a handful of believers, but the Zhugqu and Boyu have none.

Area 197,100 sq.km. On southeast coast. Both Hong Kong and Macau were British and Portuguese colonial enclaves of Guangdong and though now under Chinese rule, remain Special Administrative Zones with their own autonomy.

1 Guangdong was the first province evangelized by Protestants.
Robert Morrison arrived in Macau in 1807. The British seizure of Hong Kong
and western opium wars against China have soured Guangdong's people to the gospel
to this day. Christianity is still seen as a foreign imposition and response
to the gospel is relatively limited. Pray for healing from the past and removal
of all obstacles so that many may turn to Christ.

2 Cantonese and Hakka Chinese are often traders and entrepreneurs. This flair, plus the proximity of Hong Kong and its global links with overseas Chinese, have boosted the economy, but with much moral declension, corruption and greed. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in individuals and society for God-pleasing change.

3 Christians have been under severe pressure from the police who, since 1999, have made great efforts to subjugate the house churches. Christians in Guangzhou are only about 1% of the population, and registered churches few. Pray for the brethren and their perseverance.

4 The Biao Mien and Zaomin Yao in the northern mountains are two distinct peoples, but in both there are only a few believers, mainly young people.

5 Cantonese and Hakka are two major components of the Overseas Chinese in SE Asia and other continents.
The Overseas Chinese are some of the wealthiest peoples of the world and also have proved receptive to the gospel. Pray for a continued harvest among
them and that they might be a blessing to Guangdong, China and the world.

Area 220,400 sq.km. The southernmost mainland coastal state; adjoining Vietnam. Subtropical. The home area of China's largest ethnic minority, the Zhuang, and the province therefore given a higher, though nominal, degree of autonomy.

1 The growth of Christians among the Thai-related Zhuang
and also among the Han gives cause for praise! From 7,000 Christians in 1949 there are over 10 times that membership today  about half are Zhuang. The
Christian community also has a significant number of house church folk as well.
Yet government regulations against Christians have been rigorously applied.
Pray for ongoing growth and provision of leadership. The TSPM only had 22 registered
ordained pastors for the province in 1997 for the 250 churches.

2 The Zhuang have responded in the last decade through a concerted prayer and ministry effort for their
evangelization  radio ministry (FEBC), the JESUS film, Bible translation, etc. There are now over 46,000 Christians
in 250 fellowships  mainly among the Northern Zhuang. In other Tai groups there has been a little response from the Tho, Nung, Mulao, but no
witness among the E, Lakkia, Pusha and Yerong.

3 The Yao peoples total about 2.2m in the mountains of Guangxi. They speak hundreds of languages and
dialects  six in Guangxi. Only in two of the Iu Mien peoples have little Christian groups emerged, with a maximum of 10,000 Christians
(0.4%). Among the Younuo, Nunu, Changping Iu Mien, Bunuo and Biao Mien there has been no ministry or response. Pray for the evangelization
of every people in Guangxi. Bible translation for most peoples has yet to begin, and the Zhuang NT is still incomplete.

1 Praise God for amazing growth of the Church in some areas. Two Miao peoples, A-Hmao and Gha-Mu, are majority Christian and the Yi peoples have large Christian minorities (Guopu 18%, Lagou 33%, Wusa Nasu 24%, Tushu 8%). Most of these Christians are in the northwest. The 10,000 Christians of 1949 have probably grown to 1  1.5 million since then. There is a chronic shortage of educated leaders.

2 The challenge of the unreached
is great. Success in a few ethnic groups obscures the remaining need.

a) The more heavily populated southeast of Guizhou has possibly only 1,000 believers in registered churches.

b) The 20 Miao peoples  two are Christian, two have a significant minority of believers, six have a handful of believers, but 10 have none at all.

c) There are 39 peoples indigenous to Guizhou with no witness whatsoever, including the 4 Yao peoples. Among the 13 Tai peoples only the Bouyei (0.16% Christian) and Cai (1.5%) have churches, most have no believers. The Hmong, Hmu, Shui are all large clusters of peoples, but with only a handful of believers. Pray for local and outside Christians to reach out to these unreached peoples.

1 Hainan had an economic boom in the 1980s which led to spectacular growth as a Special Economic Zone and huge corruption, followed by an equally spectacular bust. There has been a considerable turning to God with an annual doubling by 2000 to 360,000 believers. There are numerous house churches, but there are divisions among Christian leaders. Pray for the effective witness of the Christians to an immoral society.

2 The Li are the largest indigenous people. They have rebelled 32 times in the past against Chinese rule. Pray that they may openly receive the King of kings  only 1,000 have done so. Among the related Lingao there are 5,000 Christians, and the Cun 200. There is nothing of God's Word, nor known recordings, nor the JESUS film in any of the 8 languages or dialects. Pray that these peoples may be reached.

3 The Utsat are China's only Malay people. They are all Muslim with no known believers or attempts to reach them.

1 Hebei is one of the most rigidly policed provinces and Christians have suffered much over the past two decades. Pray for both grace and greater freedom for the Christians in their strategic province.

2 Hebei is the heart of Catholicism in China with a large proportion of Catholics. Many remain loyal to the Vatican. These latter have suffered particularly severely since 1997. Protestant and Independent Christians have increased in numbers in some areas, but repression has hindered registration of churches.

1 Mao's disastrous policies caused over 8 million
Henanese to die of famine. Henan was declared an 'Atheistic Zone' in the
1960s, but today Communist officials complain of it as a 'Jesus Nest' suffering
from 'Christianity fever'! Praise God for the spectacular growth of the Church.
Revival began during the Cultural Revolution with mass conversions, miracles
and vision for evangelizing China. Some counties are reported to be largely
or completely Christian today.

2 Outreach from Henan churches has been one of the great
stories of the expansion of Christianity. Church planting teams (often young
women) fanned out over China, followed by discipling teachers. Dangers for this
movement:

a) Multiplication of extremes and deviant sects
because of lack of teaching or due to leadership disputes.

b) Increased denominationalism.

c) Increased persecution since 1999 with
many arrests, punitive fines and destruction of some church buildings.

1 Rapid church growth has occurred in both TSPM and especially in house churches. There are thousands of worshipping groups and churches,
but only 24 ordained TSPM pastors. Pray for maturity and stability as well as
provision of godly leadership.

2 Most of the small indigenous Mongolian and Altaic peoples
are shamanistic. Many are resentful of the Chinese 'takeover' of their
homelands. The largest, the Daur, have begun to respond to the gospel. There
are about 1,000 Christians. Pray for non-Han missionaries to commit their lives
to reaching these peoples. Most, such as the Hezhen, Bogol, Khakas, Kyakala,
Olot and Saman, total only about 15,000 people. There is nothing of the Scriptures
or other media for these peoples  except portions of the Scriptures in Hezhen.

1 The Church grew considerably before 1949, but since
then growth has not matched that of many other areas. The authorities have
maintained a tight control  especially over the cities, so registered churches
are relatively few. Pray for a shattering of the political, ideological and
spiritual chains that bind the people.

2 The house churches are strong in some rural areas but
isolation and poverty hinder expansion.

1 Maoism in this, Mao's home province, is still strong.
There has long been an anti-foreign spirit which has slowed the penetration
of the gospel. Hunan is possibly China's spiritually hardest Han Chinese population.
Pray for the removal of the spiritual barriers.

2 The less evangelized:

a) Changsha, the capital, has relatively few
Christians; most of the growth in house churches is rural and, in some
areas thriving.

b) The Tujia are one of the larger peoples in
the world without anything of the Bible, and not yet even a script. There
are now about 30,000 Christians (0.3%).

c) The Miao peoples. The Ghao-Xong are
marginally reached with 5,000 Catholics, but the Yao Iu Mien and Wunai have
no known believers.

1 Mongolians have become a minority in their own
land because of the massive immigration of Han Chinese. Yet there are more Mongolians
here than in independent Mongolia to the north. Few have become Christian (some
estimate 12,000 or 0.21%). Pray for:

a) Workers (Mongolian from the growing churches
in Mongolia, or other nationalities) to be called.

b)The New Testament to be translated
and printed in the Mongolian vertical script.

c) Churches to be planted. Officials claim
that there is no justification for churches since no missionaries were here
in the past.

d) The binding of demonic powers in the Lamaism
and black magic practiced by Mongolians.

e) FEBC radio broadcasts to them.

2 House churches have multiplied across the region but
almost all are Han groups. They have to keep a low profile because of the prevailing
repression. Pray for continued growth, also for outreach to non-Han indigenous
peoples.

3 Among the nomadic Evenki and Oroqen along the Russian
border there is no permanent witness, and only a handful of Christians
among the Evenki. Few have heard the gospel. Violence and alcoholism is a special
problem for the Oroqen.

1 Church growth has been spectacular since 1980, with over one million associated with TSPM churches and many more with burgeoning
house churches. Pray that no subterfuge or attack of the enemy of souls may
succeed in hindering that growth.

2 Nanjing is an important centrefor Christians
 one of the most prestigious TSPM seminaries and the Amity Press are located
here.

1 The Communist Long March began here  a march
that ended with the political triumph for that ideology, but an immense disaster
for China. The blight of that history still affects Jiangxi. Pray for the release
of the province from all that opposes God.

2 There are some areas where Christians have multiplied,
but many parts of the province are relatively under-evangelized.

1 The Church is relatively strong with many registered and unregistered congregations. A large minority of the Christians are
Koreans. Nearly a third of the 2.1m Koreans in Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang
Provinces are Christian. Praise God for this.

2 Changchun has a much lower percentage of Christians.
Pray for churches to be multiplied.

3 The Chinese Korean Church has an unusual role
to play for North Korea. The terrible plight of their kinsfolk in that
repressed land has brought many famine and political victims to them. In the
event that Communism collapses, these Christians will play a vital part in the
healing and re-evangelization of North Korea.

1 The Church has grown significantly from a strong Presbyterian
pre-revolution base. Over 20% of Christians in the province are Korean.
A special effort began in 1997 to suppress Protestant and Catholic 'illegal'
activities and compel the numerous house churches to register. Foreigners, especially
Koreans, were noted to be especially active in church planting. Pray for wisdom,
fortitude and evangelistic fervour for the believers.

2 The Manchu conquered and ruled China from 1644
to 1911, but in the process lost their culture. Of the 12.6m Manchu, only
200,000 retain a distinctly Manchu culture and their language is almost extinct.
The majority live in the three provinces of former Manchuria but are also scattered
across China. Most follow the range of Chinese secular and religious views,
but some are still shamanist. Response to the gospel is very limited and known
Christians are only 10,000 in number  less than 0.1% of the Manchu. Pray for
this large unreached people.

3 The Xibe are an Altaic-Tunguspeople that have
been largely assimilated into Chinese culture, but only a handful are known
to be Christian.

1 The Hui number 10.6m, but are found in every province
of China. Only a minority live in their Autonomous Region. They are descendants
of Muslim traders, Mongolians and Chinese. They strongly retain their culture
and religion, but speak Putonghua. They are the largest Muslim ethnic group
in China. After 30 years of mission outreach before 1951, very few had become
Christians. There is renewed interest in reaching them. There are only about
200 scattered believers among them. Pray that in every city across China, local
Christians might have a burden to reach them and the willingness to adapt their
approach to be effective.

2 There is a large-scale turning to Christianity in the
north along the Yellow River where there are many Han immigrants. The Catholic
Church has seen the greatest growth. Pray for adequate leadership and good literature
for these Christians  both in short supply.

1 This desolate region is dotted with labour camps.
Many thousands of prisoners have endured great hardship there  including
many believers. Pray for all prisoners of conscience that their faith in God
might grow and bless those around them.

2 In the 1940s there were only a few hundred Christians,
mainly in Xining, but in the last 20 years growth has been significant in the
few urban areas. There are only five registered TSPM churches and 40 meeting
points in the province. The believers are poor but fervent in outreach  pray
that this ministry might be fruitful.

3 The unreached:

a) The Tibetans are strong in their Lamaistic
Buddhism. Their living conditions are harsh, and they depend on their large
herds of yak. Unprecedented heavy snows in 1996 decimated these herds and made
many destitute. Christian help for them gave opportunities for witness. There
are now a handful of isolated believers. Pray for open hearts, bound demonic
powers and for many people to be free in Jesus.

b) The Tu and Mongour are Lamaistic Buddhists
with no known believers. They are isolated from existing outreach.

c) The Muslim Hui in Xining are numerous and
there are a handful of Christians, but few witness to them.

1 Shaanxi was the birthplace of Christianity in China.
The Nestorians built their first church in Xian in 635. Terrible persecution
wiped out this witness. Pray that the 21st Century may be one of
triumph for the Church.

2 The Church has grown dramatically from 30,000 Christians
in 1949 to officially 350,000 and unofficially maybe nearly 3m today. Pray for
the spiritual unity and health of Shaanxi Christians and that they may retain
the fire of the Holy Spirit into the next generation.

1 Shandong was the birthplace and home of Confucius,
whose philosophy and writings have deeply moulded Chinese culture to this day.
Pray that the Chinese may be freed from the social demands which hinder many
from commitment to Christ.

2 Tai'an is near one of China's most 'holy' mountains,
Taishan. This is a major spiritual stronghold on which prayer should be focused.

3 The Jesus Family, a remarkable form of communal Christianity,
began in this province. They were influential in the start of the house
church movement of which they are a part today. Pray for the spiritual health
of all forms of indigenous Christianity and for the centrality of Scripture
in their life and teaching.

1 In 1950 there was a varied and effective church life
with 256 churches, but all was destroyed in the Cultural Revolution. Even
today there are but 27 churches and 80 registered meeting points of the TSPM.
A large network of small house churches has developed  some estimate between
3,000 and 20,000. In a crackdown in 1999, 1,000 were forcibly closed. Pray for
freedom for congregations to grow and multiply.

2 The economic growth has been a magnet for up to 3 million
poor, rural work-seekers from all over China who eagerly take up the dangerous
and menial jobs on the margins of society. Pray for the evangelization
of this uprooted mass of people.

3 For years Shanghai has been a base for Christian outreach
to the whole country. One of the major house church networks is doing just
that today. Pray that the drive, wealth and sophistication of this city might
be harnessed for the spread of the gospel.

1 The CIM did much work here before 1949. In 1950 there
were 26,000 Protestants. This number had offically grown to 220,000 (unofficially
nearly 900,000) by 1999. There are also many Catholics. There has been much
repression of both registered TSPM and house churches.

2 The Boxer Rebellion of 1900 led to many martyrs
 thousands of Chinese as well as 159 missionaries and 46 children in Shanxi
alone. Pray that their blood may prove good seed for today's Church.

3 Datong has a low percentage of Christians and is, historically,
a major Buddhist centre. Pray for the breaking down of spiritual strongholds.

1 Sichuan had the lowest Christian percentage of
the Han-majority provinces until recently. The Catholics arrived in 1696 and
LMS and CIM in 1868/81, but there had been no major breakthrough until a recent
significant growth in the house churches. Pray that the spiritual mountains
that ring this province might be breached, and millions turn to Christ.

2 Chengdu with over 5m people is a key city for
the whole of western China, but there are officially only two large TSPM churches
and 3,000 Protestant Christians. There may be a further 50,000 house church
believers. There is a large number of ethnic minority groups in the city  especially
Tibetans. Pray for this needy city and those seeking to reach it.

3 Ethnic minoritiesindigenous to Sichuan total
4m in 44 peoples, but 33 of them have no Christians and no known outreach to
them. Of the 11 among whom there are some Christians, only the Chuan Miao and
Shengzha Nosu have over 1% Christians. Intercede for:

a) The major groups with no witness; the
Qiang cluster of peoples, the Tibetan groups, Suodi, Mosuo, Enshi Miao, etc.
Many of these peoples, though related, speak mutually unintelligible languages.

b) The Nosu who are a particular challenge.
They are a proud people that once dominated their area and enslaved the
Han Chinese. They were only finally subdued by the central government in 1953.
They are known for their violence, war-making, intimidation and polytheism.
The JESUS film has had some impact, and there are 12,000 Christians
in the largest of the 4 Nosu peoples. Pray for this spiritual stronghold to
be breached.

c) The small Christian groups among them to
become strong, effective witnesses.

d) Ethnic minorities in Yunnan and elsewhere
with large Christian communities to become missionaries to these peoples.

e)Bible translators. The
Bible is available for the Khampa and Amdo Tibetans, and there are portions
of Scripture for the Chuan Miao and Shengzha Nosu, but no other group has anything
of God's Word.

1 The Church is almost as tightly controlled as in nearby
Beijing, and church growth has been more limited. Catholics have fared better.
Pray for an easing of the harsh restrictions and for more church growth.

1 Tibet is a contentious international issue. It
lost its temporary independence as a theocratic Buddhist state in 1950 when
China invaded the land. The Communists have systematically sought to destroy
the culture, religions and ethnic identity of the Tibetan people. Resistance
to the occupiers has resulted in frequent revolts and unrest. Over one million
people may have lost their lives and a further 100,000 may have been forced
into exile including the spiritual and political leader of Tibetans, the Dalai
Lama. Pray for a just and peaceful settlement for all concerned.

2 Tibetan Buddhism has a strong hold on the people.
There is much demonic bondage; the pre-Buddhist Bon religion with its spirit
appeasement and occultism permeates society. Blood covenants were made with
the powers of darkness in past centuries  these must be renounced. There are
officially still 1,780 monasteries and 46,000 Buddhist monks. Pray that present
sufferings may be God's means for bringing spiritual freedom to Tibetans.

3 After centuries of failed attempts and limited fruit
there may be about 1,000 evangelical and 2,000 Catholic Christians among the
5m Tibetans in the world. There are two secret groups of Tibetan believers
in Tibet. Pray for all efforts through radio, the JESUS film,
personal witness in Tibet and from the surrounding provinces of Gansu, Qinghai,
Sichuan and elsewhere to reach them. Around 500,000 Tibetans live in exile in
Nepal, India and the West, where they are a little more accessible.

4 Political sensitivity and tensions in Tibet make entry
and travel difficult for both Chinese and foreign Christians who desire
to share the love of Jesus there. Pray for open doors and freedom to proclaim
the gospel.

5 There is a growing number of Han Chinese in Tibet.
Pray for the planting of house fellowships among them  some have been started.
Lhasa has become a Han Chinese city with only 30% of its inhabitants Tibetan,
who are poor and marginalized.

1 Xinjiang's rich natural resources and strategic location
make it important for China's future. Uygur separatism, fuelled by Islamist
support from the Middle East and Central Asia, has increased over the 1990s
and has been met with vigorous repression. Many lives have been lost, thousands
executed and many imprisoned. Pray for a satisfactory resolution for both sides.
The tension has hindered any religious activity.

2 Almost all the indigenous peoples are Muslim
and unreached. There are a few isolated believers among the Uygur and Kazakh
and they are under continual pressure to return to Islam. Most are unreached,
with few seeking to minister to them.

3 There were once believers and some churchesamong
the Uygur in the 1930s, but in violent persecution the churches were destroyed
and believers killed or scattered. There are now only a few Uygur believers,
but there are nearly 500 Uygur believers in Kazakhstan  may they witness to
those in Xinjiang. Pray for the completion and distribution of the New Testament
and also the dissemination of the JESUS film in Uygur. Pray also
for churches to be planted among them once more.

4 The 360,000 Christians in Xinjiang, almost all Han
Chinese, are culturally isolated from the indigenous population. Pray that they
may have a vision for and understanding of witnessing to Muslims. Most live
in the capital, Urumqi. There are only about 50-60 known Christians among the
non-Chinese; their numbers are growing, but they are subjected to heavy pressure
by Muslims to return to Islam.

1 Yunnan is, ethnically, China's most complex province.
There have been famous and dramatic workings of the Holy Spirit among some of
the tribal groups earlier last century  especially among the Lisu, Miao, Wa,
Jingpo and Nu. There are over 1m Christians in these minorities  60-70%
of all the Christians in Yunnan. So the Church is thriving in a few ethnic groups,
but the mountainous terrain, large number of cultures and languages, and ancient
hostilities all hinder the spread of the gospel. Pray that many more areas may
experience like demonstrations of God's grace and power.

2 Yunnan's indigenous ethnic minorities, numbering
16m in 208 ethno-linguistic peoples, are an immense challenge for the Church
in China and the world.

a) 205 peoples have no witness and no Christians,
and a further 47 have less than 1% Christians. Many are polytheists or Buddhists.

b) Only 23 peoples have responded in a significant way
and are now over 10% Christian. Just 6 are majority Christian: Hkauri (31
people), Eastern Lipo (60,000  67% Christian), Maru (7,600  79%), Ayi (2,200),
Rawang (540), Xiandao (130 people). The largest Christian communities are among
the: Lisu (300,000); Miao (150,000); E. Nasu (120,000); Wa (75,000), Bai (50,000);
Jingpo (40,000); Naluo (10,000); Lawa (10,000); Lashi (6,000); Nu (4,000). Pray
for local believers to reach out to related ethnic groups still unreached, and
pray also for missionaries from China and elsewhere to reach these unreached
of Yunnan. The poverty of local believers and difficulties in travel slow any
attempts.

3 The Han Chinese Christians are relatively few in number
and there has not been much growth in either TSPM, house churches or the Catholics.
Pray for the growth of the Church among them.

4 Special issues needing prayer:

a) Bible translation is a massive unmet need.
The Bible is available for 9 languages, the NT in a further 11, and just
portions in yet another 11. Translators are working in only 5 groups. The great
majority of languages have nothing. Good surveys are necessary to ascertain
what needs to be done. Pray for this vital ministry to be expanded in Yunnan.

b) AIDS is becoming a problem to a number of
border peoples because of drug abuse and trafficking and exposure to the
sex industry in Thailand and Myanmar.

c) FEBC broadcasts in Lahu, De'ang, Miao, Jingpo,
Lisu, Maru, Wa and Tai. Pray for the evangelistic and teaching ministry of this
medium.

1 Wenzhou is sometimes called the Jerusalem of China.
Over 30% of its population is Christian. In many rural areas there is a
prominent church building in full use every kilometre. There are over 2,400
churches and 3,500 registered meeting points as well as thousands of house churches.
Many of their church buildings were destroyed in 2000 in a strong effort to
eliminate unregistered Christians.

2 Zhejiang house churches have done much to evangelize other parts of China through evangelizing migrant labourers and following contacts to their home areas. Believers are generous in supporting these mission efforts. Pray for this vision to grow.

3 Since 1997 pressure on house churches has grown and some buildings destroyed by the authorities. Pray for the assaults of those opposed to the gospel to fail and for the perpetrators to be converted.